Talk About Fickle!

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” [Acts 14.11]

Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side.  They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. [Acts 14.19]

Talk about fickle!

Crowds of people in Lystra witnessed Paul perform a healing on a crippled man and they began to worship them.  But only a short time later, the very same people had been convinced by Paul-hating Jews to stone him.

What happened in Lystra, frankly, still happens today.  Many who are fans of a great preacher will, with very little convincing, become his greatest foes.  Anyone who has ever spent much time in the 'church' in the USA has witnessed this.

The unfortunate thing is, this is unavoidable among ignorant people.  Those who are so fickle are incapable of seeing their own inconsistencies.  Those who bear the truth must simply take into account that they will be subject to unregenerate people.  Ministry, consequently, will never be easy as the minister must constantly be aware of his precarious situation.

It's enough to make an unregenerate preacher want to quit!

Talk about fickle!

Father, I know You deal with each of us where we are each and every day.  Lord, I want Your regeneration at work in me - I don't want to become calloused and non-compliant.  I don't want to be blown around by whatever flavor-of-the-day idea that comes my way.  I want to faithfully fulfill my purpose and calling in life.  I need Your help to do so!